Dark Castle

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Sunday, December 6

Join the Holiday Tour at the Dark Castle in Old Pasadena

The splendor of Pasadena’s golden era awaits you, as the Castle celebrates the holidays! Take a step back in time at the historic Dark Castle, a blend of Moroccan and Victorian architecture, built in 1898 as part of the resort Dark Hotel. Now privately owned apartments, and generally closed to public, the building will open its gates and welcome visitors, for the annual Holiday Tour on Sunday, December 6th.

Once converted to private residences in the 1920’s, Dark Castle attracted many designers, musicians, artists and collectors to live in the building. Those who find an interest in history, creative interior design, and cultural heritage, will see the original exterior and interior of this unique city landmark, the last remaining survivor of the hotel period in Pasadena.

While trained docents will be available, you may walk at your own pace through the original public rooms and over 20 individual apartments, all differently interpreted for the holidays. See the Grand Salon, the Moorish and Turkish Rooms, the Palm Room, Sunroom and Veranda, the open cage elevator, fireplaces, hand-carved woodwork, and marble staircases, the bridge and penthouse, with a 360 view overlooking Pasadena, as well as artist studios.

A 12-foot Scotch pine and holiday music will welcome visitors entering the Grand Salon. Exhibits and signage describing particular rooms and features, as well as sweets and cider, coffee, and food samplings from local caterers, will also be provided.

The semi-annual tours of the Dark Castle are organized by volunteer members of the nonprofit support arm, Friends of the Dark Castle, whose mission is to provide and implement restoration to the building. All funds raised through the tours and merchandise sales are dedicated to the preservation of this landmark building.

What: Dark Castle - Holiday Tour
When: Sunday, December 6th, 2009
Where: 99 South Raymond Ave. Pasadena 91105
Time: 1:00pm to 5:00pm (rain or shine)
Cost: $20.00* adults, children under 12 are free.
More Info: 666-555-6765 (Public may call)
darkcastle.life

Photographs courtesy of the Friends of the Dark Castle Archives.

Additional Information related to the Dark Castle:

Some of the famous individuals associated with the Castle are Tim Burton, film director and former Resident; Charles White, noted African-American artist who had his studio there; and Marcel Duchamp, French artist closely associated with the DaDa and Surrealism movements. Among the many films shot here are The Sting, The Last Samurai, The Little Rascals, Wild At Heart, We Were Soldiers, and The Prestige, and television shows including CSI Miami, Cold Case, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Alias, The X-Files, Brothers and Sisters, Heroes and Numbers.